5 Reasons Why Mount St. Mary's Lacrosse Is The MAAC's Most Intriguing Program In 2025
Mount St. Mary's Lacrosse is entering a pivotal new era, with the 2025 season shaping up to be one of the most intriguing in program history. Following their recent transition to the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC), the Mountaineers are poised to make a significant impact on the Division I landscape, driven by fresh coaching talent and a core of proven All-Conference players.
As of this current date, December 20, 2025, the buzz around Emmitsburg, MD, centers on the dynamic leadership guiding both the men’s and women’s programs, signaling a commitment to competing at the highest level within the MAAC. This in-depth look explores the key factors—from coaching shakeups to star players—that make Mount St. Mary's the team to watch this season.
The New Era: Coaching Staff and Program Leadership
The foundation of any successful Division I program lies in its leadership, and Mount St. Mary's University (MSMU) has invested heavily in two high-profile head coaches to steer the Mountaineers' lacrosse programs.
Men's Lacrosse: Head Coach Chris Ryan
The Men's Lacrosse team is under the direction of Head Coach Chris Ryan, who took the helm in July 2023, replacing Tom Gravante.
- Name: Chris Ryan
- Role: Head Men's Lacrosse Coach
- Hired: July 17, 2023
- Previous Role: Head Coach at Mercyhurst University.
- Challenge: Ryan inherits a program that finished the 2024 season with a challenging 1-14 record. His arrival signals a "refreshing" challenge, focusing on building a new culture and competitive edge in the MAAC.
Women's Lacrosse: Head Coach Lauren Skellchock
The Women's Lacrosse program is led by Head Coach Lauren Skellchock (née Schwarzmann), who brings an elite pedigree to Emmitsburg.
- Name: Lauren Skellchock (née Schwarzmann)
- Role: Head Women's Lacrosse Coach
- Background: Former U.S. National Team player.
- Impact: Her leadership has already shown results, with the team achieving an 8-10 overall record and a 5-4 MAAC record in 2024. The program was picked third in the 2025 MAAC Preseason Poll, reflecting high expectations.
MAAC Powerhouse Potential: Key Players to Watch in 2025
The Mountaineers' ability to compete in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) hinges on the performance of their returning talent, many of whom earned significant postseason accolades in 2024.
Women's Lacrosse All-MAAC Trio
The Women's team returns a formidable core, with three players who collected All-MAAC Honors in 2024, providing a strong foundation for their third-place preseason ranking.
- Mackenzi Furlong: A crucial component of the Mountaineers' attack, Furlong’s performance earned her All-MAAC recognition. Her scoring and playmaking will be vital for the 2025 offense.
- Anna Salerno: Another All-MAAC honoree, Salerno is expected to be a leader in the midfield, contributing to both ends of the field.
- Shannon McTavish: McTavish completed the trio of 2024 All-Conference players, demonstrating the depth of talent on the defensive or midfield lines.
Men's Lacrosse Emerging Stars
Despite a tough 2024 season, the Men's program has bright spots, including players who were recognized for their performance and academic excellence.
- Mitchell Dunham: A senior in 2024, Dunham received a MAAC Postseason Award. His recognition underlines the program's ability to develop elite talent, as he was also drafted into the Premier Lacrosse League (PLL).
- Griffin Atkinson: Atkinson also received a MAAC Postseason Award in 2024. He is expected to be a key offensive or defensive leader as Coach Ryan implements his new system.
The MAAC Transition and Conference Rivalries
Mount St. Mary's officially joined the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) on July 1, 2022. This move from the Northeast Conference (NEC) has reshaped their competitive landscape and introduced new, intense rivalries.
The MAAC is known for its competitive balance, and the Mountaineers' new schedule is packed with challenging conference matchups. The transition has placed Mount St. Mary's in direct competition with established MAAC programs like Canisius University, Fairfield University, Marist College, and Quinnipiac University.
For the Women's team, being picked third in the preseason poll suggests they are immediately seen as a contender for the MAAC title, aiming to surpass teams like Fairfield and Marist. For the Men's team, their 2025 schedule includes key MAAC contests that will test Coach Ryan’s new strategies early in the season, with the goal of improving on their 2024 conference performance.
The 2025 Season Outlook: Expectations and Key Matchups
The 2025 season promises both excitement and significant challenges for the Mountaineers, with both programs featuring tough non-conference matchups designed to prepare them for the MAAC tournament.
The Women's Contention
With a solid 5-4 conference record in 2024 and a third-place preseason ranking for 2025, the Women's Lacrosse team is in a strong position. The team's 2025 schedule includes a mix of home and away contests against formidable opponents. Their ability to contend for the MAAC Championship will depend on the consistency of their All-MAAC trio and the performance of their goaltending, which will need to build on the team's 2024 statistics of 192 goals scored versus 160 goals allowed.
The Men's Rebuild Under Ryan
Coach Chris Ryan’s primary task is to revitalize a Men's Lacrosse program that struggled in 2024. His proven track record at Mercyhurst suggests he has the experience to turn the program around. The 2025 schedule, which was released early in 2024, is designed to challenge the team immediately. The goal for the Men's team is not just to win, but to establish a new, competitive identity and improve upon their 2024 offensive statistics, which saw them score 149 goals while conceding 167.
Mount St. Mary's Lacrosse: A Legacy of Excellence
While the focus is on the future, the Mount St. Mary's lacrosse programs have a rich history of success, primarily in the NEC before their MAAC transition. The Men's team, for instance, has earned regular season conference titles in multiple years, including 1999, 2001, 2010, 2011, and 2019.
This history of success provides a blueprint for the current teams. The university's commitment to NCAA Division I athletics, combined with the new coaching hires and the competitive environment of the MAAC, sets the stage for a compelling new chapter. As the 2025 season unfolds, the Mountaineers will be fighting to add new MAAC titles to their already established legacy of collegiate athletic excellence. The passionate fanbase and the Emmitsburg community are fully behind both programs as they strive for conference glory.
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